Search the forums for 'coffee grinder'. New clutch friction plates and springs fixed it for me.
It is 'normal' for this bike, as quoted, and known as 'The Coffee Grinder'. I've chosen to live with mine for now since it reportedly does not cause any physical damage to the bike (just the rider's nerves) and goes away after a the bike is warmed up.
If you decide to live with it:
What helps (a little) is storing the bike on the center stand and pumping the clutch about 12 times before putting it in gear for the first time when cold. This does NOT solve it, just lessens the severity. I also find that riding in the friction zone longer when the bike is cold 'almost' eliminates it, and so I don't make any sudden moves during the first few miles that would require agressive clutching (i.e., darting out into traffic).
If you can't live with it:
Other remedies include drilling the clutch basket (per Kawa's technical note on the fix), trying different types of oil (synth vs dyno, thin vs thick) and replacing the friction plates as previously noted.
Either way:
Search the forum and you'll find all the info you need to make a decision on what you want to do. This forum is one of the best I've ever belonged to as far as information and expertise of its users.
